Courtesy photo/Wakfield police
Police say a Middleton man stole this truck and trailer carrying $40,000 of equipment from a McDonald's restuarant in West Ossipee. It was later found in Wakefield.

WAKEFIELD - Thursday morning, Wakefield police arrested a man who allegedly stole a truck in Ossipee, with approximately $40,000 of equipment attached, following a pursuit near the town line. Thomas Sweeney, 24, of Middleton, was arrested and charged with two counts of receiving stolen property, both felony level charges, and two counts of disobeying a police officer, both Class A Misdemeanors.

Sweeney is being held at Carroll County House of Corrections on $10,000 cash bail.Wakefield Police Lt. Mark O'Brien said the Ossipee Police Department notified officials Thursday morning to be on the lookout for reports of a stolen white Dodge pickup truck trailing six log splitters in an attached vehicle. The truck was reported stolen by its owner from the McDonald's restaurant in West Ossipee.

Wakefield police then spotted the truck in their town at about 9:45 a.m., traveling south on Route 16. O'Brien said a police officer attempted to pull Sweeney over, but he continued driving. After what O'Brien described as a short- and low-speed pursuit, over about a half mile, Sweeney was arrested and charged.

O'Brien noted both Ossipee and Wakefield continue to investigate the incident and while he does not see further charges coming out of Wakefield, he suspects Ossipee will charge Sweeney with theft for taking the truck.

"It's somebody's livelihood, so the victim's relieved obviously, that we got stuff back," O'Brien said. "I think it was just an opportunity.We're investigating with Ossipee, and they may have more charges."

O'Brien added he believed the owner of the truck left a spare key in the truck, while it was parked at McDonald's, which Sweeney allegedly found while going through the vehicle.No damage was reported to the vehicle or its valuable equipment.

Wakefield and Ossipee police were assisted by the Carroll County Sheriff's Department.Those with further information on the incident are urged to contact the Wakefield Police Department at 603-522-3232 or Carroll County Dispatch at 603-539-2284.